Coach Jack Heath: Which is More Important to Good Health-- Exercise or Sleep?

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Which is More Important to Good Health-- Exercise or Sleep?

Euronews Updated 09/12/2025

Around 1 in eight people in a new global study got enough sleep and exercise.

A new global study suggests that focusing on sleep may be more beneficial than exercise for overall health, as most people struggle to meet recommended levels of both rest and physical activity.

The research, published in the journal Communications Medicine, found that most people fall short of the widely promoted benchmarks of seven to nine hours of sleep and at least 8,000 steps per day. About 13 per cent globally consistently met both targets.

“Only a tiny fraction of people can achieve both recommended sleep and activity levels every day, so we really need to think about how these guidelines work together and what we can do to support people to meet them in ways that fit real life,” said Josh Fitton, the study’s lead author and a sleep health researcher at Flinders University in Australia.

Fitton added in a statement that the findings raise questions about common health recommendations, underlining how difficult it is for many people to maintain both an active lifestyle and healthy sleep patterns.

The study analyzed data from sleep and activity trackers collected over 3.5 years from more than 70,000 participants across the globe. It showed that while many people either get enough sleep or lead active lives, few manage to do both.

Nearly 17 per cent of participants averaged fewer than seven hours of sleep and under 5,000 steps per day, placing them in the “sedentary” category, which is linked to higher risks of chronic disease, weight gain, and mental health challenges.

The study has some limitations, such as its reliance on data from personal tracking devices, which are more commonly used in wealthier countries.

The key to becoming more active, researchers found, lies in getting sufficient rest. Sleeping around six to seven hours per night was associated with the highest step counts the following day.

The researchers said that if people are pressed for time, they may want to consider focusing on sleep before exercise.

“Prioritizing sleep could be the most effective way to boost your energy, motivation, and capacity for movement,” said Danny Eckert, the study’s senior author and a professor at Flinders University.

“Simple changes like reducing screen time before bed, keeping a consistent bedtime, and creating a calm sleep environment can make a big difference,” he added.